Church records and the information they provide vary greatly, depending upon the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation such as age; dates of birth, christening, baptism, or death; and marriage information, such as the bride’s maiden name and the names of both sets of parents. Records may include other relatives who were witnesses or members of the congregation. The members of some churches were predominantly of one nationality or ethnic group.

Church records and the information they provide vary greatly, depending upon the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation such as age; dates of birth, christening, baptism, or death; and marriage information, such as the bride’s maiden name and the names of both sets of parents. Records may include other relatives who were witnesses or members of the congregation. The members of some churches were predominantly of one nationality or ethnic group.

−

Before 1900 the largest religious groups in Tennessee were the Baptist, Christian (Disciples of Christ), Methodist, and Presbyterian churches. The Family History Library has copies of some original church records, as well as published transcripts and histories. An overview of the role of religion in Tennessee is in:

+

<br>Before 1900 the largest religious groups in Tennessee were the Baptist, Christian (Disciples of Christ), Methodist, and Presbyterian churches.<ref>William Chamberlin Hunt and United States Bureau of the Census, ''Religious Bodies: 1906'' (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1910), Vol. 1:354-357. Digital version at [http://books.google.com/books?id=Z6ZdiZWeStAC Google Books].</ref> The Family History Library has copies of some original church records, as well as published transcripts and histories. An overview of the role of religion in Tennessee is in:

The [[Tennessee State Library and Archives]] has pre-1900 records from 100 churches. An index to these records is:

The [[Tennessee State Library and Archives]] has pre-1900 records from 100 churches. An index to these records is:

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*Sistler, Byron. ''Vital Statistics from 19th Century Tennessee Church Records.'' Nashville, Tennessee: Sistler, 1979. [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=104780&disp=Vital+statistics+from+19th+century+Tenne++ FHL&nbsp;US/CAN&nbsp;Book 976.8 K29s; Fiche 6088427 [Volume 1, 4] and [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=104780&disp=Vital+statistics+from+19th+century+Tenne++ 6088428 [Volume 2, 3]]. The record is arranged alphabetically by surname. Entries may contain birth, marriage, death, and burial dates. The number following each entry refers to a microfilm number listed on the inside cover of the book.

+

*Sistler, Byron. ''Vital Statistics from 19th Century Tennessee Church Records.'' Nashville, Tennessee: Sistler, 1979. {{FHL|104780|item|disp=FHL Fiche 6088427,Volume 1, 4, and 6088428 Volume 2, 3, Book 976.8 K29s}} . The record is arranged alphabetically by surname. Entries may contain birth, marriage, death, and burial dates. The number following each entry refers to a microfilm number listed on the inside cover of the book.

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Another source for information on church records available at the Tennessee State Library and Archives is:

+

Other sources for information on church records available at the Tennessee State Library and Archives include:

−

*''Tennessee Diaries, Memoirs and Church Records in the Manuscript Division, Tennessee State Library and Archives: Listed by County.'' Nashville, Tenn.: Manuscript Division, 1965. Digital versions of this guide are available at [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=30087 Ancestry] ($); and [http://persi.heritagequestonline.com/hqoweb/library/do/books/results/image?urn=urn%3Aproquest%3AUS%3Bglhbooks%3BGenealogy-glh49041935%3B-1%3B-1%3B Heritage Quest Online] ($).

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*[http://www.tn.gov/tsla/history/misc/church.htm Guide to Church Records at TSLA: Manuscripts &amp; Books] describes what they hold on microfilm, as manuscripts, and as published books. County-by-county, church-by-church listing with description and the the years covered.

+

*''Tennessee Diaries, Memoirs and Church Records in the Manuscript Division, Tennessee State Library and Archives: Listed by County.'' Nashville, Tenn.: Manuscript Division, 1965. Digital versions of this guide are available at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=30087 Ancestry] ($); and [http://persi.heritagequestonline.com/hqoweb/library/do/books/results/image?urn=urn%3Aproquest%3AUS%3Bglhbooks%3BGenealogy-glh49041935%3B-1%3B-1%3B Heritage Quest Online] ($).

Some denominations have collected their records in central repositories. You can write to the following addresses to learn where their records are located.

Some denominations have collected their records in central repositories. You can write to the following addresses to learn where their records are located.

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=== Non-Denominational ===

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<div style="width: 147%; float: left">

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[[Image:Tennessee churches.png|thumb|right|500px]] Ruth E. Browning abstracted names and events from '''[http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/resources/index/index.html The Christian Messenger]''' and created an every name index. The Christian Messenger was a religious newspaper during the 1800's which included "letters with information about the churches, obituaries, death notices, names of subscribers, letters from preachers, etc."<ref>Ruth E. Browning, ''Name Index to the Christian Messenger'' at http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/resources/index/index.html</ref> The information abstracted from this newspaper came from several counties in Tennessee.

=== Baptist ===

=== Baptist ===

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The Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives is the repository for many Southern Baptist congregations in the South. To request a search of these records, you must have the name and location of the church. The address of the historical library and archive is:

The Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives is the repository for many Southern Baptist congregations in the South. To request a search of these records, you must have the name and location of the church. The address of the historical library and archive is:

Baptists published a religious newspaper known as ''The Tennessee Baptist''. Issues from 1835 to 1900 have been reproduced on 4 CDs. To learn more, visit the [http://baptisthistoryhomepage.com/index.html Baptist History Homepage].

+

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An 1899 directory of Baptist ministers lists biographical details about many ministers born or serving in the state:<ref>Davis points out that not all ministers participated, see: Robert S. Davis, "Some Baptist Ministers of South Carolina at the Turn of the Century," ''The South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research,'' Vol. 32, No. 1 (Winter 2004):13-22. {{FHL|43856|item|disp=FHL Book 975.7 B2sc v. 32}}</ref>

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+

*''The Ministerial Directory of the Baptist Churches in the United States of America.'' Oxford, Ohio: Ministerial Directory Co., 1899. Digital version at [http://books.google.com/books?id=f9gpAAAAYAAJ Google Books].

The following contain brief descriptions of Baptist churches in Tennessee at the end of the 1930s and describe the records that were available then:

The following contain brief descriptions of Baptist churches in Tennessee at the end of the 1930s and describe the records that were available then:

Early church records, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for Tennessee Wards and Branches can be found on film and are located at the LDS Family History Library in Salt Lake City. The film numbers, for each ward, can be locate through the [https://www.familysearch.org/#form=catalog Family History Library Catalog] . Or by refering to Jaussi, Laureen R., and Gloria D. Chaston. Register of Genealogical Society Call Numbers. 2 vols. Provo, Utah: Genealogy Tree, 1982. {{FHL|78572|item|disp=FHL book 289.3 J327r}}. These volumes contain the film numbers for many (but not all) membership and temple record films.

A collection of vital statistics of east Tennessee Lutheran Churches is:

A collection of vital statistics of east Tennessee Lutheran Churches is:

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*Daughters of the American Revolution, General James Breckinridge Chapter (Roanoke, Virginia). ''Marriages, Births and Deaths from Virginia and East Tennessee Lutheran Church in America Records''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1971. [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=722733&disp=Marriages%2C+births+and+deaths+from+Virg%20%20&columns=*,0,0 FHL&nbsp;US/CAN&nbsp;Film 858645 Item 2].

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*Daughters of the American Revolution, General James Breckinridge Chapter (Roanoke, Virginia). ''Marriages, Births and Deaths from Virginia and East Tennessee Lutheran Church in America Records''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1971. {{FHL|722733|item|disp=FHL film 858645 Item 2}}

History:

History:

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The Holston Conference oversees the eastern third of the state, the Tennessee Conference oversees the middle third, and the Memphis Conference oversees the western third.

The Holston Conference oversees the eastern third of the state, the Tennessee Conference oversees the middle third, and the Memphis Conference oversees the western third.

Lambuth University Library houses an excellent collection of original Methodist newspapers, such as ''The Nashville Christian Advocate''. Death notices and obituaries for prominent Methodists from all over the region appeared in these newspapers. FHL&nbsp;has acquired abstracts and indexes:

+

Lambuth University Library houses an excellent collection of original Methodist newspapers, such as ''The Nashville Christian Advocate''. Death notices and obituaries for prominent Methodists from all over the region appeared in these newspapers. FHL has acquired abstracts and indexes:

'''[http://www.cumberland.org/hfcpc The Historical Foundation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America]'''<br>The Historical Library and Archives<br>8207 Traditional Place<br>Cordova, TN 38016<br>Telephone: 1-901-276-8602<br>Fax: 1-901-272-3913<br>E-mail: [mailto:archives@cumberland.org archives@cumberland.org]

These archives collect papers of ministers; and session, trustee, and women’s missionary society records. These records may contain baptisms, marriages, and communions of members. The staff at the archives does not do research; however, you can do research in person for a small fee.

These archives collect papers of ministers; and session, trustee, and women’s missionary society records. These records may contain baptisms, marriages, and communions of members. The staff at the archives does not do research; however, you can do research in person for a small fee.

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The Presbyterian Church in Tennessee is coordinated by the Louisville Presbyterian Seminary. The library of the seminary does not collect records of any congregation, but it does have ministerial directories with information on many ministers. The staff of the library can direct you to congregations in the state where records are. Direct your inquiries to:

The Presbyterian Church in Tennessee is coordinated by the Louisville Presbyterian Seminary. The library of the seminary does not collect records of any congregation, but it does have ministerial directories with information on many ministers. The staff of the library can direct you to congregations in the state where records are. Direct your inquiries to:

*Alexander, John Edministon ''[http://www.archive.org/details/abriefhistorysy00alexgoog A Brief History of the Synod of Tennessee, from 1817 to 1887]. ''MacCalla and Company, 1890. Free digital copy, courtesy: Internet Archive.

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*Alexander, John Edministon ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=cRO3ro_NIhYC A Brief History of the Synod of Tennessee, from 1817 to 1887]. ''MacCalla and Company, 1890. Free digital copy, courtesy: Google Books.

=== Roman Catholic ===

=== Roman Catholic ===

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Records of existing Catholic parishes are generally kept in the individual churches, though copies of sacramental records are sent to the appropriate diocese. Sacramental records include baptisms and confirmations. They may contain names of godparents or information about marriages or burials.

Records of existing Catholic parishes are generally kept in the individual churches, though copies of sacramental records are sent to the appropriate diocese. Sacramental records include baptisms and confirmations. They may contain names of godparents or information about marriages or burials.

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The diocesan archives also have some school records. Requests for genealogical searches must be submitted in writing. To receive death information, you must include proof of your relationship to the deceased. The state of Tennessee is served by three Catholic dioceses. The Diocese of Knoxville serves the eastern third of the state, the Diocese of Nashville serves the central third, and the Diocese of Memphis serves the western third.

+

The diocesan archives also have some school records. Requests for genealogical searches must be submitted in writing. To receive death information, you must include proof of your relationship to the deceased. The state of Tennessee is served by three Catholic dioceses.

The '''Diocese of Knoxville''' serves East Tennessee ([[Anderson County, Tennessee|Anderson]], [[Bledsoe County, Tennessee|Bledsoe]], [[Blount County, Tennessee|Blount]], [[Bradley County, Tennessee|Bradley]], [[Campbell County, Tennessee|Campbell]], [[Carter County, Tennessee|Carter]], [[Claiborne County, Tennessee|Claiborne]], [[Cocke County, Tennessee|Cocke]], [[Cumberland County, Tennessee|Cumberland]], [[Fentress County, Tennessee|Fentress]], [[Greene County, Tennessee|Greene]], [[Hamblen County, Tennessee|Hamblen]], [[Hamilton County, Tennessee|Hamilton]], [[Hancock County, Tennessee|Hancock]], [[Jefferson County, Tennessee|Jefferson]], [[Johnson County, Tennessee|Johnson]], [[Knox County, Tennessee|Knox]], [[Loudon County, Tennessee|Loudon]], [[McMinn County, Tennessee|McMinn]], [[Marion County, Tennessee|Marion]], [[Meigs County, Tennessee|Meigs]], [[Monroe County, Tennessee|Monroe]], [[Morgan County, Tennessee|Morgan]], [[Pickett County, Tennessee|Pickett]], [[Polk County, Tennessee|Polk]], [[Rhea County, Tennessee|Rhea]], [[Roane County, Tennessee|Roane]], [[Scott County, Tennessee|Scott]], [[Sequatchie County, Tennessee|Sequatchie]], [[Sevier County, Tennessee|Sevier]], [[Sullivan County, Tennessee|Sullivan]],&nbsp;[[Unicoi County, Tennessee|Unicoi]], [[Union County, Tennessee|Union]], [[Washington County, Tennessee|Washington]]&nbsp;counties).<ref name="rome">[http://www.cdeducation.org/oym/connections/dioceseusmap.htm Map of the Roman Catholic Dioceses in the United States of America], Office of Catholic Schools Diocese of Columbus, accessed 3 Nov 2010.</ref>

"Religion''," ''in''Tennessee: A Guide to the State''''.''' ''Compiled and Written by the Federal Writers' Project of the Work Projects Administration for the State of Tennessee. American Guide Series. (No Place: New Deal Network, 1996) Original published: Tennessee: State of Tennessee. Department of Conservation, Division of Information, 1939. [http://newdeal.feri.org/guides/tnguide/ch11.htm Available online]. This chapter briefly describes the history of Tennessee’s most common religions.'''''<br>'' '''

+

<br>The dioceses of Tennessee are part of region five, with the archdiocese at:

−

See the&nbsp;[[Tennessee Archives and Libraries|Tennessee Archives and Libraries]] article for facilities with regional collections which might include church histories and records. For more information on church records, see the [[United States Church Records|United States Church Records]]&nbsp;article. The&nbsp;Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog lists more sources under:

*Moore, John Trotwood and Austin P. Foster, editors. ''Tennessee: The Volunteer State, 1769-1923'', 4 vols. Nashville: S.J.Clarke Publishing Co., 1923. <ref>{{FHL|220742|item|disp=FHL Book 976.8 D3m v. 1-4}}</ref>. This indexed four-volume set includes church information and Tennessee history in addition to three volumes of biographies. <br>

+

*"Religion''," ''in''Tennessee: A Guide to the State'''.''' ''Compiled and Written by the Federal Writers' Project of the Work Projects Administration for the State of Tennessee. American Guide Series. (No Place: New Deal Network, 1996) Original published: Tennessee: State of Tennessee. Department of Conservation, Division of Information, 1939. [http://newdeal.feri.org/guides/tnguide/ch11.htm Available online]. This chapter briefly describes the history of Tennessee’s most common religions.

+

+

See the [[Tennessee Archives and Libraries|Tennessee Archives and Libraries]] article for facilities with regional collections which might include church histories and records. For more information on church records, see the [[United States Church Records|United States Church Records]] article. The Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog lists more sources under:

Introduction

Church records and the information they provide vary greatly, depending upon the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation such as age; dates of birth, christening, baptism, or death; and marriage information, such as the bride’s maiden name and the names of both sets of parents. Records may include other relatives who were witnesses or members of the congregation. The members of some churches were predominantly of one nationality or ethnic group.

Before 1900 the largest religious groups in Tennessee were the Baptist, Christian (Disciples of Christ), Methodist, and Presbyterian churches.[1] The Family History Library has copies of some original church records, as well as published transcripts and histories. An overview of the role of religion in Tennessee is in:

Sistler, Byron. Vital Statistics from 19th Century Tennessee Church Records. Nashville, Tennessee: Sistler, 1979. FHL Fiche 6088427,Volume 1, 4, and 6088428 Volume 2, 3, Book 976.8 K29s . The record is arranged alphabetically by surname. Entries may contain birth, marriage, death, and burial dates. The number following each entry refers to a microfilm number listed on the inside cover of the book.

Other sources for information on church records available at the Tennessee State Library and Archives include:

Tennessee Diaries, Memoirs and Church Records in the Manuscript Division, Tennessee State Library and Archives: Listed by County. Nashville, Tenn.: Manuscript Division, 1965. Digital versions of this guide are available at Ancestry ($); and Heritage Quest Online ($).

Some denominations have collected their records in central repositories. You can write to the following addresses to learn where their records are located.

Non-Denominational

Ruth E. Browning abstracted names and events from The Christian Messenger and created an every name index. The Christian Messenger was a religious newspaper during the 1800's which included "letters with information about the churches, obituaries, death notices, names of subscribers, letters from preachers, etc."[2] The information abstracted from this newspaper came from several counties in Tennessee.

Baptist

Baptist minutes, membership lists, and other records were kept by the clerk of each congregation. Many clerks considered their papers their personal property and upon their deaths their papers often became the property of their descendants. As a result, many early Baptist records were lost or remain unaccounted for. A few clerks passed their records to their successors and the records remained with the church. Some Baptist records have been donated to public libraries or historical and genealogical societies.

The Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives is the repository for many Southern Baptist congregations in the South. To request a search of these records, you must have the name and location of the church. The address of the historical library and archive is:

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)

Early church records, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for Tennessee Wards and Branches can be found on film and are located at the LDS Family History Library in Salt Lake City. The film numbers, for each ward, can be locate through the Family History Library Catalog . Or by refering to Jaussi, Laureen R., and Gloria D. Chaston. Register of Genealogical Society Call Numbers. 2 vols. Provo, Utah: Genealogy Tree, 1982. FHL book 289.3 J327r. These volumes contain the film numbers for many (but not all) membership and temple record films.

A collection of vital statistics of east Tennessee Lutheran Churches is:

Daughters of the American Revolution, General James Breckinridge Chapter (Roanoke, Virginia). Marriages, Births and Deaths from Virginia and East Tennessee Lutheran Church in America Records. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1971. FHL film 858645 Item 2

Methodist

Tennessee is served by three Methodist conferences that oversee the missions and business of the church. The conferences have collected records from churches that have closed. Records of existing congregations are generally still in the churches.

The Holston Conference oversees the eastern third of the state, the Tennessee Conference oversees the middle third, and the Memphis Conference oversees the western third.

Lambuth University Library houses an excellent collection of original Methodist newspapers, such as The Nashville Christian Advocate. Death notices and obituaries for prominent Methodists from all over the region appeared in these newspapers. FHL has acquired abstracts and indexes:

These archives collect papers of ministers; and session, trustee, and women’s missionary society records. These records may contain baptisms, marriages, and communions of members. The staff at the archives does not do research; however, you can do research in person for a small fee.

The Presbyterian Church in Tennessee is coordinated by the Louisville Presbyterian Seminary. The library of the seminary does not collect records of any congregation, but it does have ministerial directories with information on many ministers. The staff of the library can direct you to congregations in the state where records are. Direct your inquiries to:

Roman Catholic

Records of existing Catholic parishes are generally kept in the individual churches, though copies of sacramental records are sent to the appropriate diocese. Sacramental records include baptisms and confirmations. They may contain names of godparents or information about marriages or burials.

The diocesan archives also have some school records. Requests for genealogical searches must be submitted in writing. To receive death information, you must include proof of your relationship to the deceased. The state of Tennessee is served by three Catholic dioceses.

See Also

Moore, John Trotwood and Austin P. Foster, editors. Tennessee: The Volunteer State, 1769-1923, 4 vols. Nashville: S.J.Clarke Publishing Co., 1923. [5]. This indexed four-volume set includes church information and Tennessee history in addition to three volumes of biographies.

"Religion," inTennessee: A Guide to the State.Compiled and Written by the Federal Writers' Project of the Work Projects Administration for the State of Tennessee. American Guide Series. (No Place: New Deal Network, 1996) Original published: Tennessee: State of Tennessee. Department of Conservation, Division of Information, 1939. Available online. This chapter briefly describes the history of Tennessee’s most common religions.

See the Tennessee Archives and Libraries article for facilities with regional collections which might include church histories and records. For more information on church records, see the United States Church Records article. The Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog lists more sources under:

TENNESSEE - CHURCH HISTORY

TENNESSEE, [COUNTY] - CHURCH HISTORY

TENNESSEE - CHURCH RECORDS

TENNESSEE, [COUNTY] - CHURCH RECORDS

TENNESSEE, [COUNTY], [TOWN ] - CHURCH RECORDS

References

↑ William Chamberlin Hunt and United States Bureau of the Census, Religious Bodies: 1906 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1910), Vol. 1:354-357. Digital version at Google Books.

↑ Davis points out that not all ministers participated, see: Robert S. Davis, "Some Baptist Ministers of South Carolina at the Turn of the Century," The South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research, Vol. 32, No. 1 (Winter 2004):13-22. FHL Book 975.7 B2sc v. 32